Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.

Abstract: A robotic shuttle system includes a rack system and one or more shuttles. The rack system includes a rack and a shuttle frame. The rack has storage locations for containers containing items. The shuttle frame has rails disposed along the rack. The shuttle includes a powertrain, container transfer mechanism, and a robot arm. The power train is configured to move the shuttle along the rails of the rack and on a surface outside of the rack system. The container transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the containers between the rack and the shuttle. The robot arm extends from the shuttle to transfer the items between one of the containers on the shuttle and a container in a container holder of the shuttle.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an end effector with one or more fin grippers that have one or more vacuum ports. The fin grippers are made of elastic material. The fin grippers each include contact and exterior flanges joined together with a series of crossbeams. The crossbeams each define a tube opening to form a tube guide channel between the contact and exterior flanges. In one form, the vacuum ports are located at fingertip ends of the fin grippers, and the vacuum ports include vacuum cups.

Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an end effector with one or more fin grippers that have one or more vacuum ports. The fin grippers are made of elastic material. The fin grippers each include contact and exterior flanges joined together with a series of crossbeams. The crossbeams each define a tube opening to form a tube guide channel between the contact and exterior flanges. In one form, the vacuum ports are located at fingertip ends of the fin grippers, and the vacuum ports include vacuum cups.

Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. The mast is configured to extend and retract. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast in a rotatable manner. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.

Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor system includes a photoelectric sensor and a retroreflector that is positioned to reflect light emitted by the photoelectric sensor. The photoelectric sensor includes a polarized light source that emits p-polarized light. The photoelectric sensor further includes a Brewster polarizer that is oriented at a Brewster's angle to further polarize the emitted light. The emitted light beam emitted by the photoelectric sensor is reflected off the retroreflector and polarized ninety degrees by the retroreflector to have s-polarization. The reflected light beam is reflected off the Brewster polarizer to a laterally offset light detector.

Abstract: An AMU system includes an Autonomous Mobile Unit (“AMU”), base station, lanyard, and Warehouse Management System (“WMS”) configured to communicate with one another over a network. The AMU includes a microphone configured to receive verbal commands from an individual. The individual can further provide verbal commands through the base station and the lanyard when worn by the individual. The lanyard can also provide a geo-fence around the individual where the AMU slows down to enhance safety.

Abstract: A robotic shuttle system includes a rack system and one or more shuttles. The rack system includes a rack and a shuttle frame. The rack has storage locations for containers containing items. The shuttle frame has rails disposed along the rack. The shuttle includes a powertrain, container transfer mechanism, and a robot arm. The power train is configured to move the shuttle along the rails of the rack and on a surface outside of the rack system. The container transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the containers between the rack and the shuttle. The robot arm extends from the shuttle to transfer the items between one of the containers on the shuttle and a container in a container holder of the shuttle.

Abstract: A material handling system includes storage rack configured to store one or more items. An Autonomous Mobile Unit (AMU) is configured to move within the storage rack to service the items. The storage rack includes at least one power rail to charge the AMU when within the storage rack. The AMU includes a wheel assembly with a cogwheel electrically connected to the power rail. The AMU includes a power supply electrically connected to the wheel assembly. The power supply includes a power converter electrically coupled to an Energy Storage System (ESS). The power rail includes a cog track with track teeth. The cogwheel includes cogwheel teeth intermeshed with the track teeth.

Abstract: A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes a tracking device coupled to a transport structure that is designed to carry items. The tracking device includes a processor as well as several modules operatively connected to the processor for determining the location of the transport structure. The tracking device determines location using a short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility. When outside of the storage facility, the tracking device determines a location of the transport structure using a satellite navigation module. A mobile communication module is used to determine the location of the transport structure if neither the short-range communication module nor the satellite navigation module is successful.

Abstract: A sorter includes a slat and a shoe disposed along the slat. The shoe includes a base and a bumper. The base has an exterior surface. The bumper is coupled to the base. The shoe moves in a lateral direction along the slat to move an item across the slat. The bumper deflects when a threshold force is applied indicative of a jam to allow the item to slide over the base. A drive system is configured to move the slat in a longitudinal direction. The slat includes slat pins. A slat coupler couples the slat to the drive system. The slat coupler includes a carriage base, a coupler arm, and a retainer clip. The carriage base with pin notches is coupled to the drive system. The coupler arm with pin notches is pivotally coupled to the carriage base. The coupler arm is closed against the carriage base with the slat pins disposed within the pin notches. The retainer clip is clipped to the slat pins.

Abstract: A beverage carton packing system includes an End of Arm Tool (EoAT). The EoAT is configured to lift one end and pull a beverage carton, package, or other container from a stack of cartons. Once pulled, the EoAT is configured to grab an opposite side of the carton and remove the carton from the stack. The EoAT is mounted to an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) via a robot arm. Through the EoAT, the robot arm is able to stack mixed pallets of the cartons on the AGV. The AGV has a funnel-shaped packing chamber where the mixed pallet is stacked and a stretch wrapper for stretch wrapping the mixed pallet.

Abstract: A robotic shuttle system includes a rack system and one or more shuttles. The rack system includes a rack and a shuttle frame. The rack has storage locations for containers containing items. The shuttle frame has rails disposed along the rack. The shuttle includes a powertrain, container transfer mechanism, and a robot arm. The power train is configured to move the shuttle along the rails of the rack and on a surface outside of the rack system. The container transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the containers between the rack and the shuttle. The robot arm extends from the shuttle to transfer the items between one of the containers on the shuttle and a container in a container holder of the shuttle.

Abstract: A composite pallet is made of concrete. The concrete material can include various concrete mixtures, such as Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) or an Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC). It also can include microspheres. The concrete material can be cast in a mold or formed via an extrusion process and then cured. The pallet components can include a core material that can form various voids or cavities. The core material can include polystyrene foam, and the foam forms a honeycomb, which is then filled with the concrete material. The concrete material can also be dyed to create different colors to identify the pallets. The pallets can further include plastic and/or rubber bumpers on the corners and/or edges to prevent or minimize chipping. The resulting pallet can be cured using carbon dioxide (CO2) curing which reduces the cure time to about an hour or less.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes a tracking device coupled to a transport structure that is designed to carry items. The tracking device includes a processor as well as several modules operatively connected to the processor for determining the location of the transport structure. The tracking device determines location using a short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility. When outside of the storage facility, the tracking device determines a location of the transport structure using a satellite navigation module. A mobile communication module is used to determine the location of the transport structure if neither the short-range communication module nor the satellite navigation module is successful.

Abstract: A drive system for a high torque mechanical load includes a power supply, a controller, and a high torque electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor that is oriented eccentrically relative to a stator. In one form, the electric motor has a crankshaft that transmit the torque to the mechanical load. In other variations, the electric motor includes at least two electric motor lobes with opposite stroke positions to provide a smoother output at higher speeds. During operation, the rotor is magnetically attracted to the energized electromagnet. With the rotor attracted to the electromagnet in the stator, the rotor contacts or comes in close proximity to the stator at a contact area. The close proximity between the rotor and stator at the contact area allows very large magnetic forces to be utilized to produce torque without increasing the size or weight of the electric motor.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an end effector with one or more fin grippers that have one or more vacuum ports. The fin grippers are made of elastic material. The fin grippers each include contact and exterior flanges joined together with a series of crossbeams. The crossbeams each define a tube opening to form a tube guide channel between the contact and exterior flanges. In one form, the vacuum ports are located at fingertip ends of the fin grippers, and the vacuum ports include vacuum cups.